wile serving in the -- while serving in the navy, he also managed to obtain advanced management training at the harvard business school. few have the combination of practical military experience and sharp budgeting and management knowledge that admiral mullen possesses. respect for mike mullen is a major reason so many distinguished individuals chose to join this coalition, and it's now my pleasure to add -- to introduce admiral mike mullen. here he is. [applause] >> thanks, pete. and thanks for your leadership on this project which, as you said, goes back decades. and i really do appreciate all of you coming here today at what is a truly critical juncture for our nation in terms of our national security. our economic viability and our continuing leadership role overseas. it was in response to a reporter's routine question more than two years ago he first raised these concerns. he asked me what's the greatest threat to the united states' national security. as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, i got asked that all the time. i answered in two words: our debt. i think i surprised him.